CMP Wins Prestigious Electric Industry Award for 2023 Storm Response
The award from the Edison Electric Institute recognizes the hard work of CMP crews in the field, support teams and excellence in storm response planning.
Augusta, ME — June 21, 2024 – On June 19, at its annual national conference, the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) recognized Central Maine Power (CMP) with its Emergency Recovery Award for CMP’s response to the strong wind and rain storm that struck Maine on December 18, 2023.
This devastating storm prompted CMP to mount the largest restoration effort in the company’s history after 400,000 of its customers lost power over the duration of this weather event. In Fairfield, Maine alone, thousands of trees fell, requiring what was essentially a street-by-street rebuild of the town’s electrical system.
“At Avangrid, we take pride in being leaders in safe, efficient and coordinated efforts to restore power to our customers after extreme storms like the ones Maine experienced this past winter,” said Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO. “As part of the Iberdrola Group, we have industry-leading access to global supply chains for transformers and other materials as well as cutting edge technology and resources to confront challenges, including those presented by climate change.”
“In moments of crisis such as these storms, Mainers count on us to be first responders and to restore our grid safely, effectively and as quickly as possible,” said Joe Purington, CMP President and CEO. “This award is a symbol of our commitment to our customers, our communities and operational excellence, but we do not restore power to win awards. We do this critical work well because electricity is an essential service that our customers rely on.”
In addition to its work restoring power after storms, CMP is focused each day on hardening Maine’s electric grid to prepare for stronger weather systems. This includes replacing wooden transmission poles with ones made of steel, installing fiberglass crossarms on neighborhood distribution poles, installing thicker utility poles and utilizing covered tree wire on various projects.
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Media Contact:
- Dustin Wlodkowski
dustin.wlodkowski@avangrid.com
207.816.2820